New life for an inverter

[Opera House]

Found a new life for an inverter with damaged output FETs.  This is a Harbor Freight #92462 2,000/4,000 watt inverter (bright aluminum case).  I like the blue case ones, but this is a mechanical nightmare without the meters and decided to pull the output fets for some other inverters.  Have a need to run some 26W GE CFLs for lighting and thought this would be a good use.

The output board is separate and was just removed by pulling a connector and cutting the two DC wires.  These were connected directly to the AC outlets.  Since I didn't expect to need that much power, I pulled half the fuses.  Four transformers are in series so four have to be powered.  Remember one of the fuses also powers the electronics so that is the side that is left.  The GE lamps have electronic ballast so 144V DC is just fine for them.  Don't try this with transformer types.  Current load results:

no load    .89A

1. 26W CFL   2.7A 32W
   
2. 26W CFL   4.7A 57W
   
3. 26W CFL   6.8A 82W
   
   

[dnix71]

Those red multi meters you have in the picture have been $3 on sale here in Fort Lauderdale. I bought a bunch and gave some away. I had to patch a test lead on one, the wire is spot welded to the banana pin. It's best not to remove and insert them any more than necessary.

[wooferhound]

We have another Winner

nice work

nice workshop too

[Opera House]

I buy 6 at a time of these  when they are $1.99 and give them away on ebay with other items I sell.  Never have to buy a battery that way.